Nigeria Engages in Discussions with Commonwealth on Deep-Sea Mining

The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced discussions with the Commonwealth Secretariat to explore the potential for deep-sea mining in the country’s coastal waters. This initiative aims to harness the abundant mineral resources and lucrative opportunities available in the sector.

Dr. Oladele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, led a delegation from Nigeria to the Commonwealth Secretariat and emphasized the government’s commitment to seeking international support to enhance the competitiveness of the solid minerals sector on a global scale. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has identified the solid minerals sector as a crucial element of Nigeria’s ongoing economic diversification efforts, and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has rolled out a seven-point agenda to support this objective.

The agenda includes the establishment of a solid minerals company, comprehensive data collection on mineral reserves to minimize investment risks, improved security measures for the mines, and the promotion of socio-economic development in mining communities through effective community development agreements.

Dr. Alake stressed the importance of the Commonwealth’s support in the government’s efforts, highlighting the wealth of expertise within the organization.

In response, Paul Kautoke, the Senior Director of the Trade, Oceans, and Natural Resources Department, welcomed the Nigerian delegation and recognized Nigeria’s potential in deep-sea mineral extraction, particularly in the mining of copper, cobalt, nickel, gold, and rare earth elements. He assured Nigeria of the Commonwealth’s assistance in developing a policy framework for deep-sea mining.

Speakers at the forum, including Victor Kitange, Director of Natural Resources, Opeyemi Abebe, Trade and Investment Adviser, Daniel Wilder, Economic Adviser of Trade, Oceans, and Natural Resources, and Allison Swaddling, Adviser on Ocean Governance, expressed their concerns about the slow progress of African countries in deep-sea mining. They also highlighted the department’s online training programs as a means to enhance Nigeria’s capabilities in this field.

Dr. Alake acknowledged the significance of the discussion and pledged that the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development would work collaboratively with other ministries to assess the potential for deep-sea mining. He also mentioned the ministry’s intention to present a proposal for the country’s consideration based on this new dimension of mineral development.

The discussions at the Commonwealth Secretariat indicate Nigeria’s commitment to exploring new opportunities in the solid minerals sector. It highlights the government’s proactive approach in seeking international partnerships to enhance the country’s mineral development efforts. As Nigeria aims to diversify its economy, the exploration of deep-sea mining could open up new avenues for economic growth and development.

The engagement with the Commonwealth also underscores the importance of global collaboration in navigating the complexities of deep-sea mining and underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging international expertise in this area. As discussions progress, Nigeria is poised to position itself as a key player in the global deep-sea mining industry, with the potential to harness its abundant mineral resources for sustainable economic development.

Reported by Rabi Momoh; Edited by Oluwaseyi Ajibade and Julian Osamoto